Volume 6 Issue 24

Indicates featured legislation

Jurisdiction: Newly Introduced

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Jurisdiction: Floor and Committee Activity

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Qualifications and Terms: Newly Introduced

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Qualifications and Terms: Floor and Committee Activity

Delaware SB 232 Permits the Family Court and the Court of Common Pleas to temporarily assign retired Commissioners duties at the designation of each Court's Chief Judge with the consent of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee 5/7/12.

Rhode Island SB 2770 Defines the duties of a Drug Court Magistrate and specifies which individuals qualify for the Drug Court and the conditions and responsibilities imposed thereon. Approved as amended by Senate Judiciary Committee 6/7/12.

Rule Making Authority: Newly Introduced

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Rule Making Authority: Floor and Committee Activity

New Hampshire CACR 26 (Constitutional Amendment) SENATE AMENDMENT: Provides "The legislature shall have a concurrent power to regulate the same matters by statute. In the event of a conflict between a statute and a court rule, the statute, if not otherwise contrary to this constitution, shall prevail over the rule." House concurs with Senate amendment 6/6/12. To appear on 2012 ballot.

North Carolina HB 517 AS AMENDED: Creates position of chief magistrate. Provides chief district judge may appoint full time magistrate for county to serve as chief magistrate at chief district judges pleasure. Modifies current method(s) for discipline of magistrates. Allows resident superior court judge to give notice in cases where defendant has not been tried for 9 months after indictment to hold a trial conference. House does not concur with amendment 6/5/12. Conference committee appointed.

Salary and Budget: Newly Introduced

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Salary and Budget: Floor and Committee Activity

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Selection: Newly Introduced

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Selection: Floor and Committee Activity

North Carolina SB 908 Repeals matching funds for judicial candidates participating in state's public financing system. Approved by Senate Judiciary I Committee 6/5/12. Approved by full Senate 6/6/12.

Pennsylvania HB 1815 (Constitutional Amendment) Replaces current election system for appellate judges with merit selection Appellate Court Nominating Commission and retention elections. Requires Senate confirmation for those chosen by commission and appointed by governor. Tabled in House Judiciary Committee 6/5/12.

Rhode Island HB 8043 Extends until 2013 law allowing any individual whose name was publicly submitted to the governor by the judicial nominating commission, eligible for subsequent nomination by the governor. Approved by House Judiciary Committee 6/6/12.

Rhode Island SB 2680 Vests with the governor the sole authority to nominate, on the basis of merit, from a list submitted by the judicial nominating commission with the advice and consent of the senate, all judges and magistrates, to all courts. (Currently presiding judges & chief judges appoint certain magistrates). Approved by full Senate 6/5/12.

Structure Changes: Newly Introduced

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Structure Changes: Floor and Committee Activity

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Other: Newly Introduced

New York SB 7952 Authorizes pilot program permitting use of electronic means for commencing actions in certain criminal and family court proceedings. In Senate Rules Committee.

Other: Floor and Committee Activity

Louisiana HB 1010 CONFERENCE COMMITTEE: Authorizes court of appeal and district court judges to purchase furniture and equipment upon termination of office and provides for the disposition of the sale proceeds. House and Senate approve conference committee report 6/4/12. To Governor for approval.

New Hampshire HB 146 CONFERENCE COMMITTEE: Jury nullification. Provides "In all criminal proceedings the court shall permit the defense to inform the jury of its right to judge the facts and the application of the law in relation to the facts in controversy." House and Senate approve conference committee report 6/6/12. To Governor for approval.

North Carolina SB 851 Eliminates state's Courts Commission. Approved by Senate Committee on Program Evaluation 6/6/12.

Rhode Island HB 8159 Allows the general magistrate of the family court, upon retirement and at the direction of the chief justice of the supreme court, to perform services as general magistrate as the chief justice prescribes without any reduction of retirement benefits. Approved by House Finance Committee 6/4/12. Approved by full House 6/6/12. Approved by full Senate 6/7/12. To Governor for approval.

Rhode Island SB 2941 Allows the general magistrate of the family court, upon retirement and at the direction of the chief justice of the supreme court, to perform services as general magistrate as the chief justice prescribes without any reduction of retirement benefits. Approved by House Finance Committee 6/4/12. Approved by full House 6/6/12. To Governor for approval.

South Carolina SB 1055 Revises Judicial Council to include Chief Judge of Court of Appeals, person recommended by the Charleston School of Law, one person recommended by the South Carolina Bar (rather than the President of the Bar, and two summary court (rather than magistrate court) judges. Approved by full House 6/6/12. Senate concurs with House amendment. To Governor for approval.